How to format my dual boot HDD with windows and ubuntu?

Question

I started installing Ubuntu 12.10 on my windows 7 (64bit), but then I installed a new windows and therefore deleted the old windows.

I now want to uninstall Ubuntu and GRUB, but my WUBI-uninstaller.exe is not working, and I can't seem to find the Linux partition on my hard drive.

I just want to do a complete format of my HDD without rendering it useless...

Solution

In your comments, you mention:

I don't know how to get rid of Ubuntu, so I can install a clean new windows OS

If this is all you want to do, then you don't need to uninstall anything.

STOP: Be careful, the following steps will *delete all data from your hard drive. If this is not what you want, then you're using the word "format" incorrectly.

Simply run your Windows install CD from boot. During installation, the Windows installer will ask if you want to Reinstall Windows, Upgrade Windows, and/or Install from Scratch (though it might use different wording). Indicate that you want to install from scratch.

There may be another option allowing you to format the hard drive. Make sure this is selected (or that you answer "Yes").

PS: You may have to select something similar to "Advanced Install/Setup" in order to see it.

Comments

[Nathan J.B.]

Hey Thomas, it sounds like you're talking about several different things. When you "format" a HDD, it essentially erases everything on the HDD (unless you format by partition). Secondly, you mention WUBI but it sounds more like you installed Ubuntu using the non-WUBI installer. You'd only use WUBI-uninstaller.exe if you installed using WUBI. I believe WUBI still uses Windows' built-in OS selector so it doesn't make GRUB your default boot loader.

[Thomas Westcott]

I have (deleted it now) the C:\ubuntu and C:\wubildr files, so I'm pretty sure I did a Wubi installation. Although it's so long ago, that I can't remember anymore. Fact is, I don't know how to get rid of Ubuntu, so I can install a clean new windows OS.

[Thomas Westcott]

There is no Wubi in the add/remove list??

[m. öztürk]

Please specify the steps of your installation(s), when you used wubi and when the normal install.

[Thomas Westcott]

THANK YOU!!! Pressed that format button, and resumed the installation. Apparently my motherboard wants it to install as a GPT Hard drive, but since I'm not gonna use RAID, I won't need that.

[Nathan J.B.]

Glad to help :) Thanks for accepting my answer -- Feel free to also hit the "upvote" button!